You are living your dream life. Then one day, while at work, a subordinate offers you an opportunity that would allow you to become your own boss. The only hiccup is that you would have to violate a company policy. But the promise is that you will be even better off than you are now. What would you do? This is where we are in our lesson today, Genesis Chapter 3, verses 8-11:
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” 11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
This message is directed toward men, but its principles are good for men and women. The first family, Adam and Eve, had everything they could possibly need, but they threw it all away for self-gratification. Adam’s disobedience epitomizes the irrationality and recklessness of selfishness. By willfully taking and eating the forbidden fruit, an avalanche of consequences was set in motion.
One of the most fundamental biblical assertions about God is that He reaches out and communicates with us. Take note of God’s very first question in all of Scripture: “where are you?" This is a startling question, for God knows everything. He knew exactly where Adam was. Why, then, ask Adam where are you? He is after more than Adam’s physical location. This question is for Adam’s benefit. Adam needed to think about what he was doing. Adam needed to reflect on his previous behavior and its consequences; he needed to sense conviction, sense his need for God, and sense his need to be reconciled to God. Adam needed to run towards God, not away from Him. The consequence of Adam’s disobedience was a fractured relationship with God. This act caused him to hide from God, the only One who could help him. Remember, hiding from God is always your worst option.
Notice, the second question God asked Adam: 11 …Who told you that you were naked? His covering himself with fig leaves reveals his guilt. Next, God confronts Adam and does not waste any time in getting to the source of the problem by asking the third question. Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” This third and final question exposes Adam’s disobedience of God’s word. As men, we fail our families when we disobey God and His word. This disobedience has consequences that reach far beyond us. In this case, Adam’s behavior brought tragedy on all of humanity. Therefore, as men, we must not repeat Adam’s mistake. We need to understand that our first responsibility is to follow God’s word regardless of the pressure society exerts upon us. In doing so, we can assure God’s blessings upon our family not only to this present generation but for thousands of generations to come. We should always be mindful that disobedience has lasting negative effects for at least four generations. So, fathers, where are you in your relationship with God? Are you hiding from Him? Are you eating from the tree that He commanded you not to eat from? If so, today is a great day to run to God - not from Him. He is waiting!
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